Latest news with #PaulLawrie
Scotsman
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Mallets help hammer home important role of Scottish Challenge but did amateurs make right call?
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's been one of my favourite events since it was staged at Macdonald Spey Valley in Aviemore, where the winners included a certain Brooks Koepka. I am referring to the Scottish Challenge, which now has Farmfoods as the main title sponsor and is also supported by The R&A. Since being resurrected in 2022 by Paul Lawrie, it has been run by his 5 Star Sports Agency on what is now called the HotelPlanner Tour and what a terrific job a team led by Michael MacDougall along with Craig Lawrie and Reece Mitchell did once again last week at Schloss Roxburghe in Heiton, near Kelso. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lots of work goes into running top golf events and I was certainly reminded about that as I came across MacDougall, a former PGA in Scotland man, and Mitchell with mallets at the ready as they erected sponsors' boards on the road from the main entrance at the beautiful Borders venue. Daniel Young is congratulated by Michael MacDougall of Paul Lawrie's 5 Star Sports Agency after winning the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Schloss Roxburghe |Yes, of course, it something that happens at lots of tournaments, but it should never be taken for granted and especially so on a circuit like the HotelPlanner Tour, which plays a pivotal part in the development of young European golfers in particular but also South Africans, Australians, Kiwis and Americans as well. From a purely Scottish perspective, let's not forget that Bob MacIntyre wouldn't be where he is now if it hadn't been for the full year he spent on what was called the Challenge Tour at the time. The Oban man graduated at the end of the 2018, won the DP World Tour Rookie of the Year the following season and the rest, as they say, is history. The same goes for David Law, Connor Syme, Ewen Ferguson, Calum Hill and Grant Forrest, all of whom have become DP World Tour winners as well after effectively learning their trade in the professional game through spending some valuable time on the second-tier circuit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad DP World Tour cards are secured It had become a bit of a concern that the last three HotelPlanner Tour campaigns had come and gone without a Scot being among those to secure a step up to the top tour, though Euan Walker, in fairness, had given it a rousing run on each occasion only to come up agonisingly short in the card battle. However, the Saltire has been prominent in events this season and, as a result of that, there's even a chance that a repeat of 2018, when MacIntyre was joined in graduating by Forrest, Law and Liam Johnston, could be on the cards come early November at the end of the Rolex Grand Final in Mallorca. Helped by his win last month in the D+D REAL Czech Challenge, Law currently sits fourth in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, with Daniel Young just two spots behind after he landed a maiden win in that £250,000 home event on Sunday. The pair have effectively secured 2026 DP World Tour cards and all that now remains to be determined is how high they can finish on the points table. Murcar Links member Chris Somers celebrates with family and friends after winning the Scottish Men's Amateur Championship at Gullane | Chris Young/Scottish Golf On the back of ending up third at Schloss Roxburghe, which, incidentally, is a fantastic golf course and, boy, was it in great condition last week, Walker is up to 14th in the battle to finish in the all-important top 20 and, if there's one player who deserves to be heading into the Grand Final in a position where it's already job done, then it would certainly be the Ayrshireman. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Add in Calum Fyfe and Ryan Lumsden sitting 29th and 31st respectively and an exciting couple of months certainly lies ahead for the Caledonian contingent on a tour that is the lifeblood of European golf and, no matter what changes may lie in store for the game, always will be. Scottish Amateur Championship doesn't have same clout these days It was almost a toss of a coin as I decided where to head on Saturday and, knowing that I was definitely heading to Schloss Roxburghe the following day, I am glad that I decided on Gullane to take in the final of the Scottish Amateur Championship. For starters, it was nice to be reminded that there aren't many better places in the world than up on the top of Gullane No 1 on a gorgeous day and, boy, has Paul Armour got the courses at the East Lothian venue looking absolutely magnificent at the moment. Earlier in the week, my preview piece for the Scottish Golf event had noted the notable absence of Walker Cup contenders Connor Graham and Cameron Adam, as well as the likes of Niall Shiels Donegan and Jack McDonald, who, along with Graham - the teenager, incidentally, finished joint-12th - had secured an invitation to play in the Scottish Challenge. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This led one reader to get in touch with me to comment on that situation, as well as Graham opting to sit out last month's European Team Championship to prepare for The Open. 'Perhaps I am old school in my thinking, but surely they should consider how much their national associations have supported them and maybe feel that they have some obligation to return that support?' he asked. 'Otherwise amateur golf might become irrelevant.' The first thing that perhaps should be noted is that Scottish Golf isn't in a position to 'support' players in the way it once did and that could well be a factor when such decisions are being made and, of course, it comes down to an individual making a call. The sad fact of the matter, though, is that winning the Scottish Amateur Championship, for example, doesn't hold the same clout these days as it did for the likes of Ronnie Shade, Charlie Green, Gordon Murray, Ian Hutcheon and George Macgregor. What is important to note, however, is that Chris Somers, the Murcar Links man who claimed the crown at Gullane, was a very worthy winner indeed and a fine golfer with a lovely swing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dunbar development is music to Jacky Montgomery's ears
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colin Montgomerie backs Robert MacIntyre to end Scotland's major drought
Colin Montgomerie has backed Robert MacIntyre to become Scotland's first major winner in almost three decades and believes he is on the brink of something special. The 28-year-old from Oban finished tied-seventh at last week's Open to add to his second-place finish at the US Open in June, where he ended two shots behind JJ Spaun. Scotland hasn't had a major winner since Paul Lawrie came from 12 shots back to win the Open at Carnoustie in 1999. Montgomerie, 62, went close but finished second four times, including to Tiger Woods in the 2005 Open at St Andrews. A year later, he looked set to win the US Open but double-bogeyed the 72nd hole whilst in a tie for the lead and lost by a shot. But the eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner thinks MacIntyre, who has five top 10 major finishes, is his country's next great hope to reign supreme at one of the sport's big four tournaments. '[MacIntyre] almost won the US Open there at Oakmont, it was a great performance from him and let's hope he takes that forward,' said Montgomerie, speaking at the launch of Ernie Els' new golf club, Els Club Vilamoura. 'Another top 10 finish at [Royal] Portrush too, and he was top 10 there six years ago as well, so he's right there. He drives the ball very well, and putts extremely well. 'And who knows, with a favouring wind, you've got to be lucky, you've got to have fortune, whether it's fortune for you or unfortune for your opponent, if he has that fortune, he has every chance of winning a major.' Montgomerie is backing MacIntyre to play a key role in a European Ryder Cup victory in New York in September. Europe have not won in the US since the 'Miracle of Medinah' in 2012 but have a team stacked with talent, led by Masters champion Rory McIlroy. The teams are decided by a combination of world rankings and captain's picks but MacIntyre, ranked 14th in the world, should be an automatic choice. 'I think we've got a very good chance, I really do,' said Montgomerie – who captained Europe to victory in 2010. 'I think the team are excited about going to Bethpage. McIlroy especially wants to win away from home. 'The last seven Ryder Cups, I believe, have been won by the home team, four by Europe and three by America. 'So, it is difficult to win away from home, but at the same time, with [Jon] Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton coming back into the fold, we've got a good set [of players]. We've got a great set that are coming through. 'I think we've got every chance.' Montgomerie played a nine-hole exhibition to open the Els Club Vilamoura alongside four-time major winner Els and 2001 Open Champion David Duval. The Algarve course is a championship-standard 18-hole golf course that features a luxury clubhouse and signature amenities such as the 261 Bar, and was built on the redesigned Victoria course, which hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022. It will host the new PGA Champions Tour event, the Portugal Invitational, after signing a five-year deal. The first edition of the event is set to be held between 31 July to 2 August 2026. Els said: 'Golf is in the pretty sweet spot at the moment and [creating this course] has been a really nice venture. We want the conditions to be absolutely perfect and for people to have a great experience and good food.' Montgomerie added: 'The golf course is superb, and the clubhouse is fantastic. It's not just a course for the present; it's a course for the future as well.'
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Paul Lawrie sets sights on 'really good weekend' in his bid for rare Claret Jug double
Paul Lawrie acknowledges the fans during the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale Golf Club |Aberdonian pleased to finish round strongly after 'struggling' this year over closing stretch Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Paul Lawrie is hoping that a 'really good weekend' at Sunningdale can give him a chance of becoming just the fifth player to win both The Open and ISPS HANDA Senior Open. Only Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson had achieved the feat before Darren Clarke joined the select club with his Senior Open success at Gleneagles three years ago. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It would be a tremendous achievement if Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, could add his name to the list and, after opening with scores of 69-67 to sit on four under at the halfway stage, he's certainly in with a chance of landing the over-50s' Claret Jug on Sunday. Paul Lawrie acknowledges the fans during the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale Golf Club |'It depends what the score gets to today,' said the Aberdonian as Dane Thomas Bjorn carded a second-round 73 set the clubhouse target on seven under. 'I'd imagine that they would stretch a wee bit ahead, so it's going to be at least eight under, if not a bit more. But you are there or thereabouts. A really good weekend and you never know.' In his opening round at the Berkshire venue, Lawrie had been four under and bogey-free with four holes to play before finishing double bogey-birdie-bogey bogey. In contrast, he was four under for the last eight holes in the second circuit, signing off with a good par save. 'The last couple of years, I've been struggling with finishing rounds off,' admitted the 56-year-old. 'I've got myself in good positions most days I've played, but I have really struggled for coming in, for some reason. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And that wasn't on my mind yesterday before I struggled to come in again. Then today was the opposite, I kind of finished strongly. It's golf, isn't it? Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn't. 'Today I didn't have any destructive shots' 'But one under yesterday felt, oh man, at least two or three shots more than I should have been. But golf gives you the good and gives you the bad, so, overall, four under, we are alright there.
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'I'm not scared': Bob MacIntyre puts Open title right on his radar as 10 year-old club does trick
Oban man admits there is 'potential' for him to become Scotland's first men's major winner since Paul Lawrie in 1999 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bob MacIntyre insists he won't be 'scared' by the possibility of becoming a first-time major winner after last month's US Open runner-up stepped up his bid to go one better in The 153rd Open. The Oban man followed an opening level-par 71 at Royal Portrush with a second-round 66 - the polished effort contained six birdies and one bogey - to sit handily-placed at the midway point in the season's final major. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paul Lawrie landed Scotland's most recent men's major victory when he won The Open at Carnoustie in 1999, but, growing in stature with each appearance on the game's biggest stages, MacIntyre is relishing the challenge as he bids to land a tartan triumph on the County Antrim coast. Bob Macintyre pictured during the second round of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush | Tom Russo | The Scotsman 'There's potential,' he replied, smiling, to being asked if he felt this weekend could be his time after being in with a chance in the US Open before having to settle for second place as J.J. Spaun finished birdie-birdie at Oakmont. 'It could be anyone's time. I'm in a good spot. I feel happy, confident, comfortable. I'm going to go out and give it my best shot all the way through Sunday afternoon.' He added of his lofty position on the giant yellow leaderboard at this event: 'I'm not scared. I'm not going to back away. It's completely different to Oakmont. Oakmont, I couldn't roll the dice. It was never let's press, let's press. It was always, right, let's go out here with pars. This week, hopefully come the 69th, 70th hole, I've got a chance. If I've got a chance, I'm going to roll it.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 28-year-old is delighted to be in a prominent position again in one of the game's marquee events. 'Yeah, it's brilliant,' he said. 'I've got so much more confidence and so much more belief that I am good enough. 'Obviously winning in Europe, winning in America, you're good enough for that, there's another little level to it. I've obviously managed to finish in the top ten in majors before, but I've never competed. Bob Macintyre checks out the wind during the second round of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush | Tom Russo | The Scotsman 'In the PGA Championship this year, I was right in the mix. There was a lot going on Saturday, Sunday, and I fell away, but I had so much confidence going in that I was at that level now. 'Oakmont obviously happens, which gives you another boost and now, after winning the Scottish Open last year, the full focus is on winning majors.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So far, a ten-year-old TaylorMade Aeroburner 3-wood that he put in his bag this week has been earning its corn. 'I've always struggled with 3-woods ever since I was young,' he admitted. 'I actually thought I had broken that one in Abu Dhabi in 2020. It just wasn't going the distance and I had been searching for a 3-wood since then.
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Which Scottish golfers have won the Open Championship Golf? Here are all 19 Scots who have been crowned Champion Golfer of the Year
Four of Scotland's Open Champions. | Getty Images As Robert McIntyre bids to win his first Open Championship, we're looking at Scotland's golfing heroes of the past. Sign up to our Golf newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's been more than a quarter of a century since there was a Scottish winner of the Open Golf Championship - when Paul Lawrie took the 1999 title following a memorable playoff at Carnoustie. As Robert McIntyre seeks to end that drought at Royal Portrush, it's worth reminding ourselves of how successful Scotland has been in the major competition since it was first played at Prestwick Golf Club in 1860. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Indeed it wasn't until 1890 that somebody won who was NOT from Scotland - English player John Ball - ending three decades of domination by Scots. And, even if there has been slim pickings in recent decades, Scotland remains the country with the second most Open Champinship titles after the USA, with 41 titles (the USA are ahead with 47, while the English have a paltry 22). Here's every Scottish golfer to have won the Open Championship, in order of their first win. Willie Park Sr. (4) 1860, 1863, 1866, 1875 Tom Morris Sr. (4) 1861, 1862, 1864, 1867) Andrew Strath 1865 Tom Morris Jr. (4) 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872 Tom Kidd 1973 Mungo Park 1874 Bob Martin (2) 1876 and 1885 Jamie Anderson (3) 1887, 1888, 1889 Bob Ferguson (3) 1880, 1881, 1882 Willie Fernie 1883 Jack Simpson 1884 Hugh Kirkaldy 1891 William Auchterlonie 1893 James Braid (5) 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910 Sandy Herd 1902 Jack White 1904 George Duncan 1920 Sandy Lyle 1985
